'Great strides': new shared path unlocks coastal precinct

A new shared path in one of the city's most popular coastal precincts has been completed, encouraging Novocastrians to use active transport.

The 320-metre-long, three-metre-wide shared path runs along Reserve Road, replacing a narrow footpath parallel to King Edward Park between The Terrace and York Drive.

Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the path would promote active transport and safety.

"The benefits of active transport are boundless," he said.

"It supports personal physical and mental health, environmental health, and the health of our community.

"This new walking and cycling path will allow the community to enjoy our beautiful coastline more safely."

The Reserve Road path is a key route for walking and cycling, and is used by schoolchildren and people visiting Newcastle beach, the Bogey Hole and coastal area.

City of Newcastle built the path using $500,000 from the NSW government's Get NSW Active Program administered by Transport for NSW.

It is the second project supported by the program in this precinct in the past year.

Another $500,000 grant was used by City of Newcastle to upgrade Memorial Drive at Bar Beach, which is one of the busiest locations in Newcastle for pedestrian and cyclist activity. That project included a shared path between Parkway Avenue and Empire Park, an upgraded pedestrian refuge on Bar Beach Avenue, and replacing the pedestrian crossing on Memorial Drive with a raised shared path crossing.

City of Newcastle's executive manager of transport and regulation, Ryan Tranter, said the council was proud of the project.

"The historic precinct in and around King Edward Park is a much-loved destination in Newcastle, and we're proud to deliver this upgrade to improve the safety, accessibility and amenity of the surrounding area," he said.

"By investing in infrastructure like this and other shared pathways, we're taking great strides towards the goals set out in the Newcastle Transport Strategy, Newcastle Cycling Plan and the Newcastle 2040."

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